Job summary
We are excited to offer an opening for an epidemiologist / public health surveillance scientist to work on high profile areas of infectious disease surveillance.
The post is based in the Public Health Programmes Directorate of UKHSA, working between the Immunisation & Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division and the COVID Vaccines and Epidemiology Division.
The post holder will be a core member of the SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) Watch team monitoring hospitalisation for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and be the epidemiologist responsible for serosurveillance of COVID-19 and other vaccine preventable diseases, including the coordination of data collection, analysis and reporting of population SARS-CoV-2 immunity. You will work closely with the full-time senior SARI surveillance scientist.
The role will include.
1. Taking a lead in serosurveillance across COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases,
2. Liaison with NHS Trusts participating in the SARI Watch hospitalisations surveillance programme,
3. Surveillance of SARI Watch critical care admissions, cross-covering other areas of ARI surveillance.
Location
This role is based at the UKHSA Colindale office, 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at of the above UKHSA locations (Colindale) as this is considered a specialist role.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
As a Senior Epidemiologist your main responsibilities will include:
4. Lead sero-epidemiological surveillance across COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
5. Contribute to surveillance of SARI Watch critical care admissions and other aspects of SARI surveillance.
6. Contribute to regular routine and ad-hoc reports and peer reviewed publications on the surveillance and epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases.
7. Create and review surveillance system standard operating procedures and protocols and identify and support further developments (where appropriate).
8. Respond to complex or sensitive data requests.
9. Conduct complex statistical analyses of surveillance data.
10. Interpret surveillance data and make appropriate recommendations.
11. Manage/supervise and train scientific and information staff in the development of outputs and statistical analysis.
12. Liaise with a wide range of external collaborators, including NHS Trusts participating in the SARI Watch hospitalisations surveillance programme.
13. Develop automated routines and solutions for surveillance data reports.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Please review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
14. Undergraduate degree in science
15. MSc or PhD in epidemiology, public health or an allied discipline
16. Understanding of infectious disease surveillance and able to interpret surveillance data.
17. Understanding of serology as applied to epidemiology.
18. Proficiency in using epidemiological and statistical software packages for data analysis.
19. Knowledge and experience of data management and information governance
20. Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with people in partner organisations.
21. Able to convey surveillance and scientific information clearly and concisely in writing and orally.
22. Experience of successfully managing projects
23. Able to prioritise competing demands.
24. Able to work independently and as part of a team.
25. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable
26. Experience of preparing written reports and scientific publishing.
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit:
Benefits
27. Learning and development tailored to your role.
28. An environment with flexible working options
29. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
30. A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
31. Range of health and wellbeing support.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at